Considering a Coronary Calcium Scan? A Coronary Calcium Scan is a CT scan of the heart that detects the amount of calcium in the artieries, but many respected groups, researchers, and professional cardiology societies are now recommending against the test.

In her informative article today, Dr. Pam Popper explains the current concerns about the test, which partly include:

• The test does not detect plaques, and therefore cannot inform a patient of their true risk of experiencing an event or death
• Someone with a perfect score of zero can still have significant blockages
• Cancer concern from the large dose of radiation (100 - 400x a traditional xray)
• False positives which lead to unnecessary, invasive procedures and drugs

Because the potentential harms outweigh any benefits, many groups are now recommending against the test (including the USPSTF - The U.S. Preventative Services Task Force, which finds no evidence that screening for coronary heart disease is beneficial).

Just one more reason why we need to do our homework before agreeing to any type of tests or procedures, preventative or otherwise.....

.....and another great reason to protect our arteries with a whole food, plant-based, no-added-oil eating plan, as spelled out in The "Plan A" Diet.